Cast-off device for hopples



(No Model.)

H. D. MGKINNEYZ GAST OFF DEVICE POR HUPPLES.

Patented July 30, 10889.v

N. PETERS. PhulwLnhnumpher. wnxmngmn. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY D. MCKINNEY, OF JANESVILLE, VISCONSIN.

CAST-OFF DEVICE FOR HOPPLES.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,040, datedv July 30, 1889- Applioation filed May l, 1889. Serial No. 309,275- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY D. MOKINNEY, a citizen of the.United States, residing at Janesville, in the county of Rock and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety-Shackles or Cast-Off Attachments for Hopples and Similar Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of cast-off attachments adapted for use in the hoppling devices employed upon breeding mares, as well as for other purposes. rlhe object thereof is to provide simple means whereby an instantaneous disengagement may be made when requiredas, for example, should the feet of the stallion become entangled in the hopple, or should the mare be in any manner endangered thereby. A

The invention consists to this end in the several novel parts and combinations of parts, hereinafter fully described, and then definitely pointed out in the claims following this specification.

ReferringT to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a viewshowing the manner of applying an ordinary hopple having my invention embodied therein. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the cast-off. Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the operation of the caste off. Fig. et is a side elevation showing the parts in the position occupied as the lever is thrown oif the post to release theloop.

In the said drawings, the reference-numeral l designates a strap which .may form a hoppling band or collar, consisting of a broad strip of leather adapted to surround the neck and rest uponthe Withers of the mare. The ends of this collar, strap, or band are connected by means of a rectangular loop 2 on one end of the collar, which has engagement with one or more hooks 3, mounted upon a rock-shaft 4, which is journaled at its ends in the ends of parallel arms 5, attached to the other end of the collar-band, and curved or bent to form hooks G of substantially similar form to those on the rock-shaft- 4. A lever 7, rigidly mounted on the rock-shaft and extending far enough to bring its end over and past the bar 8, connecting the arms 5, serves to turn said rock-shaft, and is provided with an eye 9 at its end to forln attachment for a cord l0, by which said lever may be thrown outward to the position shown in Fig. 4. A post l2, piercing the strap or collar-band and mounted on the bar 8, is provided With a iiange or head 13, to pass under which a slight lateral deflection of the lever 7 is necessary.

It will be seen that when the lever is thrown down upon the bar 8 the loop 2 will draw upon the hooks 3, and also upon the hooked extremities of the arms 5, thereby tending to preserve the arrangement and attachment of parts, but that by throwing the lever 7 off the bar S the hooks 3 will be swung upward and carry the loop 2 out of the hooked ends of the side bars 5 and leave it free to fall or draw out of the hooks 3. A cord 10, connected to the eye S) at the end of the lever, will answer this purpose, the post l2 offering only sufficient resistance to preserve the engagement of the parts and prevent their release by the gravity of the lever 7.

A device of this character may be employed as a llame-fastener, or as a cast-off attachment for a great variety of purposes besides those specified in the foregoing description.

What I claim isl. A cast-off for a hoppling device, consisting of the cross-bar 8, having parallel arms 5, each formed at its extremity with a hook G, a rock-shaft 4, journaled in the ends of the hooks on the parallel arms, a hook 3, rigidly fixed to each extremity of the rock-shaft, a lever 7, rigid on the rock-shaft. and adapted to rest upon the cross-bar of the parallel arms, and a loop 2, for engaging the hooks, substantially as described.

2. In a hoppling device, the combination, with a strap or collar-band, of a rectangular metallic loop attached to one end, a pair of parallel hooked arms carried by a bar connected to the other end, a lever rigid upon said bar, and a post having a head or flange projecting from said bar in the path of the lever, the latter having an eye in its end to receive a cord, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have afIiXed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY D. MCKINNEY. VitneSSeS:

J AMES SHERIDAN, Trios. LUoH.

IOC 

